Wishing to see if the saint slept, he
returned
after a short interval.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
Gildse Badonici, Abbatis et Confessoris, &c.
, n.
13, p.
192.
=5 At the year 552, " the church of Benn- char was founded, by Comhgall of Bcann- char," according to Dr. O'Donovan's "An- nals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. l88, 189.
^* The erection of this church is en- tered in the Ulster Annals, at the years 554
Church at Bangor, County of Down.
be safer to aver, that its location could not have been very remote from the spot indicated by him. 35 It was known, in former times, as the Vale of Angels;36 nor, could such a designation fairly apply to the site in- dicated, since the Protestant church rises on a conspicu- ous eminence, which overlooks the town. The latter is spread along a narrow skirt of sea-coast.
Here, for fifty years, the holy su- perior ruled over his large community, with great sanctity, and keeping a most perfect monasticdis- cipline. He wrought many miracles, and some of these are
given, in different Acts, as published by the Bollandists. At one time, being in a retired place, after fasting for three
,
May io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. i6i
and 561. 3' Tlie primitive monastery here is said to have been in tlie grave- yard, now seen at Bangor ; and, a sHght depression there is thought to indi- cate that circular valhun, which once surrounded the building. Along its western site flows a stream, through the centre of the town. This turned the Abbot's mill, in former times, as has been conjectured. It passes an ancient well, overshadowed by a huge old thorn, and the water in it is popularly sup- posed to possess healing powers. 3^ A learned authority 33 has apparently referred the site of the ancient church, founded by St. Comgall, at Bangor, to the exact locale of the present Protestant church j34 but, perhaps, it might
whole days, he felt weak and thirsty; when a certain mendicant leper came to him, and seeking relief from his necessities. This man observed the saint
time that Comgall may have arrived at 3° According to Rev. Dr. O'Conor, Clonenagh, and the number of years which Bangor was founded in 555 or 559. See he is said to have spent there, the founda- " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus tion of Bangor cannot consistently with these ii. , Tigernaci Annales, n. 19, p. 129. At
and other circumstances, be carried fur- ther back than the year 558. "—•" Ecclesias- tical History of Ireland," vol, ii. , chap. x. sect, xii. , n. 199, p. 66.
the year 559, Ussher says, " Benchorensis Ecclesia in (jltonia fundata. " Index Chro- nologius, " Britannicarum Ecclesiavum An- tiquitates," p. 531. Elsewhere, he states,
See " An Historical Account of the Diocese of Down and Connor," vol. ii. , p. 124.
36 This was derived from the vision of St. Patrick, who beheld while on a hill a great number of angels descending from Heaven to a valley that was beneath it. See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," Jocelyn's Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. xcviii. , p. 88.
'' Hisidentityhasnotbeenascertained,
^s
This allusion furnishes us with some idea of the manner in which monastic cells were formerly lighted, although the windows were probably apertures, unprotected from the admission of external air, especially dur- ing the day-time.
^' See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. antique et editione Sirini, cap. ii. , num. 13, 14, pp. 5S3, 5S4.
° Thus he says, in the poem which is thus translated:—*' Patrick of the fort of Macha loves," &c. :
33 In vol. iv. of this work, at the 8th of
April, in Article i. , treating about St. Cenn-
faoladh. Abbot of Bangor, some reasons are
givenforanothersite, theredescribed,as
being more probably the monastic residence,
in olden times. However, the Rev. James
O Laverty states, that it was there a more See " Martyrology of Donegal," edited by modem Augustinian monastery had stood. Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. 122, 123.
" Circa annum vero dlv. vel DLIX. Bean- chorensis Ecclesise fundationem," &c. Ibid. , cap. xvii. , p. 494.
3' In the Annals of Clonmacnoise, it is re- fcrred to the year 561.
3^ The Rev. James O'Laverty, who records the foregoing local features, adds, this " may be only the last remains of a tradition that St. Comgall, or one of his sainted successors, pronounced over it the benediction which is still preserved in the old Irish Missal found at Bobbio, which has been published by Mabillon. "—"Historical Account of the Diocese of Down and Connor, Ancient and Modern," vol. ii. , pp. 124, 125.
33 See the Rev. William Reeves' " Eccle- siastical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dromore," p. 13, and n. (p), ibid,
^ It is represented in the accompanying illustration, draw on the spot by W iJliam F. Wakeman, and transferred by him to the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
—
i62 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May io*
engaged in prayer, with his eyes and hands directed towards Heaven. Having faith as to the result of a certain action, that man found himself cured from his leprosy. With great joy, he afterwards informed the saint about Avhat had occurred. Comgall desired him to give thanks to God, to go in peace, and to inform no person regarding what had happened. But this latter admonition was not observed, by the man, whose heart was too full of gratitude, for the favour he had received. One night, a certain young monk, named Meldan,37 came to St. Comgall, who was there in his cell, to relate something of im- portance. When Meldan approached, he saw the whole inner part of Com- gall's cell filled with a bright flame, which burst forth through the windows,^^ and with all the lustre of a noonday sun. The young man did not dare to approach, but signing himself with the cross, he retired ; and, on the follow- ing day, having a knowledge of what had occurred, Comgall called the monk to him. The holy superior requested Meldan to conceal during his life, what had been seen, on the previous night. As in the former instance, however, thisadmonitionwasnotobeyed. 39 CuimineofCoindoirestates,itwasevery Sunday only, that Comgall used to eat food. ''° However, such statement
must be understood to mean, that only on this day did he partake of a full meal, or take generous nourishment. One day, Comgall, with his own hands, was engaged in making a wooden coffin, in which the brethren were to be placed, when death approached. One of the monks, Enan,'*' by name, said, " Father, you do a good work for the brethren, about to repose in this coffin, since it must aid them to obtain salvation ; would that I were permitted to depart this life in it. " Comgall replied, " Be it so, brother, according to thy wish ; as, from this coffin thou shalt depart to Heaven. " It so happened, that brother was sent to a place, far distant from Bangor monastery, and while there, he died. However, St. Comgall ordered his body to be conveyed to Bangor ; where, through the prayers of our holy Abbot, the monk was restored to life. The resuscitated brother frequently told his fellow-monks
" Comhgall, head of Uladh, loves, Noble is every name that he named, Ablessingonthebodyofthesage, Every Sunday he used to eat. "
May io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
what he had seen and heard, after his first departure from hfe. " I was," said he, " brought towards Heaven, by two Angels, sent from God ; and, whilst on the way, behold other Angels came to meet us, saying, " Bear this soul to its body, for Comgall, God's servant, hath asked it. Therefore, bear it to Comgall, with whom the monk shall live, unto an old age. "'*^ He lived, for many subsequent years ; and, at the close of life, his soul ascended to Heaven, while his body reposed in that coffin, made by our saint.
Some thieves were in the habit of stealing vegetables and fruit, raised by the monks, who laboured with their hands, while praying with great fervour. 'is The monks complained to their Abbot, that the brethren and their guests were thus deprived of the produce procured by their labours. On the follow- ing night, Comgall made a sign of the cross over his garden. At the same time, he said, " O Omnipotent God, who art able to do all things, deprive of their sight those thieves, who enter here, that they may wander about inside of this garden, until induced to confess their guilt. " Accordingly, on that night, when those robbers entered the enclosure, they became blind ; and, they wandered about the garden, in ignorance of a place, where they might find an exit. At last, moved to penitence for their crime, they called for help, andthenbroughttheirill-acquiredstoretothemonks. Therobbersmadea public reparation for their crimes. Afterwards, becoming true penitents, and assuming the monastic habit, they embraced St. Comgairs rule. 44 St. Comgall is described in the Martyrology of Donegal,45 as being a man full of grace and of God's love, who fostered and educated very many other saints, as he kindled and lighted up an unquenchable fire of God's love, in their hearts and intheirminds. ^^ Aholyanchoriteandavenerableoldman,namedCritan,47 visited St. Comgall, at the Easter festival. While the Abbot was offering up the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, his visitor saw a bright vision of Angels. These celestial spirits sometimes touched the hands, mouth, and head, of our saint, as also the altar and chalice, while they joined in his benedictions. Feeling a sensation of thirst, and after a long fast, Critan desired in heart, that he might be able to allay this thirst, by taking some liquor, which had been first tasted by our saint. Through the spirit of prophecy, our Abbot knew the desires of his friend. Having ended the Holy Sacrifi. ce, Comgall entered the house, where having tasted some liquor, he called a servant, named Segenus. The saint then said to him, " Bear this liquor to the holy old man, Critan, whoisthirsty,andlethimdrinkwiththankstoGod. Saytohim,fromme, that he is a faithful and a patient man. " For this mark of our saint's atten- tion, Critan gave thanks to God-^^ A brother of the monastery, named Crimacthan,49 who was servant to the Abbot, having left the latter in his cell
He then retirfed to his own dormi-
past the baths. " "An Historical Account of the Diocese of Down and Connor, An- cient and Modern," vol. ii. , p. 129.
"* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. antiquo et editione Sirini, cap. ii. , num. i6, p. 584.
^^ See Drs. Todd and Reeves' edition, pp. 122, 123.
** This is stated to be evident from the old books of Erin.
"'' Whohewasisnotknown.
"^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. antiquo et. brethren, or were tending the mill, which editione Sirini, cap. ii. , num. 17, p. 5S3. we may fairly suppose, was turned by the Also, Vita S. Comgall;, ex tribus Codicibus
stream, which now, sadly diminished, flows MSS. , num. 5, p. 581.
for the night, afterwards shut the door.
*' His identity is not known.
*^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. . x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. antiquo et editione Sirini, cap. ii. , num. 15, p. 584.
3 Speaking of the varied occupations of the monks living at Bangor, the Rev. James O'Laverty writes : " Some delivered in the schools those lectures that attracted the crowds of students, who, in turn, diffused gratuitously, in some distant land, the knowledge which they had gratuitously re-
while others were engaged in manu- facturing the various articles required by the
ceived
;
—
163
164
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May io.
toiy.
Wishing to see if the saint slept, he returned after a short interval. While standing at the door of the cell,5° he was enabled to discover that the saint slept ; but, in a short time, the whole apartment seemed brilliantly illuminated. Comgall arose immediately, when his face beamed with a wonderful beauty and witli a serene expression. He next engaged in prayer. Afterwards, our saint said to the brother without, " O Crimacthan, why art thou there ? Depart instantly, telling no person what thou hast seen ; and, for such presumption, on to-morrow, a penance shall be imposed on thee. " The brother departed, with much fear; and, on the day following, he was
subjected to a penance, in expiation for his fault. s'
Owing to the great number of disciples that embraced his institute, Comgall
has always been regarded as one of the principal fathers of our Irish Church. Hisnumerousmiracleshavegreatlyaddedtohiscelebrity. Ithasbeenobserved, that our saint drew up a particular rule for the direction of his institution, and thatitwasreckonedamongtheprincipalcodes5^prevailinginIreland. Comgall isnamedamongeightchiefframersofmonasticrules. 53 Theothersevenmen- tioned are St. Patrick, St. Brigid, St. Brendan, St. Kieran, St. Columkille, St. Molassius, and St. Adamnan. We may observe, that several other Irish saints are stated to have composed similar rules. s* One day, while St. Comgall was walking, he met a man on the way, named Borgan, carrying in his arms his little son, and he bore the name of Glassan, w^howas dead. He requested the Abbot to restore the child to life, trusting St. Comgall would be able to obtain from God any request he might make. Raising his eyes to Heaven, our saint prayedtotheLord. Afterwards,hesaidtothefatheroftliatdeceasedchild, "IfGodwillit, thysonshalllive,butwaithere,untiltheholyAbbot,Canni- cus, come to you, and then present your son to him, that he may bless your child with a sign of the cross, for to-day Cannicus will pass this way. " St. Cannic approached, in course of an hour ; when the afflicted father requested him, to sign his child who was dead, with a sign of the cross. Turning to the man, and with his eyes elevated towards Heaven, Cannic said to him, " Thy son shall now live, for that is granted by God, to his servant Com- gall. " The child was immediately restored to life ; while both the parent and the boy leturned home, with expressions of grafeful thanksgiving. 55
There was a certain man, named Croidhe, who betrayed an avaricious, a ma- lignant, and a tyrannical disposition. His mother was named Luch, which in Latin signifies mus, in English, " mouse. " This man was a descendant of Tur- taraide;5^ and,atonetime,whenthemonkswereatalossforcorn,theysaid to their Abbot, " Behold that silver vessel, which was sent us as a present ; if thou approvest, let it be sold for corn, that thy brethren may live. " Accord- ingly, St. Comgall had an interview w ith Croidhe, who had abundance of corn.
5' See " Act. i . Sanctonmi," tomus ii. , Mail x. Vita S. Comgalli ex MS. antiquo et edi- tione Sirini, cap. ii. , num. i8, p. 583.
5° The Rev. James O'Laverty slates—and
probably with great accuracy—that a vast
number of small oval-shaped cells stood at
r. angor, in the sixth and seventh centuries.
These cells were "made of wood and wattles,
covered with thatch, or at times even with
skins, scattered in every direction, and in- terspersedwithgardens,fromwhich,inpart
at least, the great monastery derived a sus-
tenance for its numerous inmates. "—"An editone Sirini, cap. ii. ,
Historical Account of the Diocese of Down andConnor,AncientandModem,"vol. ii. , p. 127.
^* Nothing more seems to be known re- gardinghim, than what we find in St. Com- gall's Life.
^- See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect. xii. , jip, 62, 63.
53 yee Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Acta S. Columbse, p. 471.
S4 geg Ussher's " Primordia," cap. xvii. , p. 919.
55gee"ActaSanctorum,"tomusii. , x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. antiquo ct
num, 19, p. 584.
s* No doubt the territory of Ily-Tuirtre is heremeant. Averyfullaccountofitsposi- tion and annalistic references will be found
I
May io. ] LIVES 0I< THE IRISH SAINTS.
165
Comgall asked him to take the silver vessel, in exchange for some provisions. But, the man replied, in a disdainful manner, " I want not what is yours, nor shall you have what is mine. I had rather the mouse should eat my corn than you. " He alluded, by the term " mouse," to his mother. With some warmth, Comgall said, " Be it, as you say ; for, the mice shall eat all your corn, so that it shall not profit you. " Thus, it likewise happened ; for, the mice devoured two heaps of corn, which belonged to that avaricious man. In these were fifteen waggon-loads, but nothing remained to him, on the third day, only chaff and straw. s?
The well known Dempster, who places our saint among writers of the British Scots, attributes to him the authorship of the following works, viz. , Regularis Vit£e Methodus, lib. i. ; Ad Coenobiorum Patres, lib. i. ; Epistolae plures, lib. i. s^ In Harris Ware,S9 we are told, that he wrote Institutions for Monks, which were then extant, as also some Epistles, besides the Acts of his cotemporary, St. Columkille. Besides the rule he drew up, a learned writer ^° would not undertake to assert, that Comgall was the author of other tracts, attributed to him. ^' Some of our saint's brethren advised, that he should accept an offer made to him of certain places, where he might be able to erect small monasteries. These it was supposed might be useful for oppor- tunities afforded, in the way of fishing, or otherwise. But, the saint replied, " A large army is stronger, fighting under its chieftain, in one spot, than dis- persed in many places, and without a leader. " At another time, tliey asked him, that certain brothers might be allowed to fish, in a particular lake. This was a journey of two days from the monastery. To such suggestion, he replied,"Youhavetheseanearyou,whydoyounotfishinit. " Onanswer- ing him, that this sea-fishing was not a productive one, the brothers were sent thither with their nets. Then, they took a great abundance of fish. A contest having arisen between some seculars, at a certain place, regarding the capture of fish ; by his prayers, our saint removed the cause of their conten- tion, so that afterwards, a fish was rarely caught in the same waters. When Comgall had a great number of monks, subject to his rule, an Abbot, who was his senior, and under whose roof our saint had dwelt for some time, came to his monastery. When they sat down to table, and rejoiced in the society of each other, in order to test Comgall's humility, and to find if his former spirit of obedience yet remained, the senior began to chide him severely. Comgall then arose, and prostrating himself on the earth, he began to pour forth copious floods of tears. Being asked, why he wept, the holy man replied, " Because I am grieved, I have not had such an opportunity of practising humility, for many years past. "°^ At another time, when the Abbot was on a visit to a certain monastery under his rule; it chanced, that some of his companions preceded him. Attended by one person, the saint advanced slowly. Turning off from the high road, both entered a small house. Having offered prayers, they remained there until evening. Then, a pious man came to them, and hastening towards his own house, that person brought water to wash their feet, and a covering, under which they might rest. Having struck a light, he placed food before them. When they had partaken of this food, they gave thanks to God, and to their entertainer, according to the usual
in Rev. William Reeves' "Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dromore," Appendix BB. , pp. 292 to 297.
57 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. antiquo et editione Sirini, cap. ii. , num. 20, p. 584.
s'* See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Sco- torum," tomus i. , lib. iii. , num. 254, p. 152.
59 See vol. ii. , " Writers of Ireland," Book i. , chap, iii. , p. 17.
^° Rev. Dr. Lanigan.
^^ See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xii. , p. 63.
*- See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , x. Mali. Vita S. Comgalli, ex tribus Codicibus MSS. , num. 4, pp. 580, 581.
i66 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May io.
manner. A time for sleeping next approached, and both felt wearied. The Abbot commanded his subject to occupy the bed. In obedience, his attendant did as he had been required, while our saint continued his vigil. After a part ofthenighthadbeenspentinsleep,thebrotherawoke. Hesawthewhole house briUiantly illuminated, and this light continued, until break of day. But our saint ordered his companion not to reveal this vision, during the lifetime of his Abbot. This command the brother religiously obeyed. On the following morning, the man who had provided for their accommodation the night before, became their guide to the monastery, towards which they were proceeding. ^3 From the O'Clerys^'* welearn, likewise, how a very old vellum book ^5 states, that Comgall of Bennclior, in habits of life, was like unto James the Apostle.
It chanced, while Comgall was once absent from the monastery, one of his monks took sick. At that time, the brethren had no other food for their sustenance, only some vegetables with esculents of an inferior quality. Being moved with compassion for the condition of the sick man, the monks advised him to visit certain religious, belonging to the same order, who lived in another place. There, they said, he should receive better treatment, besides obtaining the advantage of being nearer to his own relations. ^^ But, when the sick man was brought to this monastery, which lay three or four miles dis- tant,^7 he shortly afterwards died. A vigil was kept over his body, according to a usual custom. On the next day, his corpse was brought to the monas- tery. Friends and kinsmen of the deceased accompanied the remains, with tears and lamentations. Their wailing disturbed monastic quiet. When St. Comgall returned to the monastery, a short time afterwards, the steward humbly confessed his negligence, in not taking due care of the patient. Approaching the bier, our Abbot offered up his prayers to God, when the dead man was instantly restored to life. Afterwards, he lived fifteen years, in thesamemonastery. Thismonkwaswonttorelate,thatwhenhewishedto ascend a ladder, extending towards Heaven, with others preceding him, he heard a voice saying, that Comgall would not then suffer him to ascend. Another day, according to their usual custom, the brothers being at work ; being overcome with fatigue and thirst, one among them sunk to the earth, and from the middle of the day, to the ninth hour, he was lifeless. But, the Abbot, taking compassion on him, prayed to our Lord, when he was imme- diately restored to life. ^^
CHAPTER III.
ST. COMGALL GOES OVER TO BRITAIN—HE VISITS ST. COLUMKILLE—HE INTENDS BUILDING A CELL ON RATHLIN OR RAGHERV ISLAND—IN THE TERRITORY OF HETII HE FOUNDS A MONASTERY—DISTURBED BY THE PICTS—HE RETURNS TO IRELAND—MIRACULOUS OCCURRENCES—VISITS OF ST. FINBARR AND OF ST. COLUMKILLE TO BANGOR—INTERVIEW BETWEEN ST. COLUMBA AND ST. COMGALL,
AFTER THE CONVENTION AT DRUMCEAT.
In the seventh year, after the foundation of his monastery at Bangor,' St. Comf^all went over into Britain,^ to visit some holy men.
=5 At the year 552, " the church of Benn- char was founded, by Comhgall of Bcann- char," according to Dr. O'Donovan's "An- nals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. l88, 189.
^* The erection of this church is en- tered in the Ulster Annals, at the years 554
Church at Bangor, County of Down.
be safer to aver, that its location could not have been very remote from the spot indicated by him. 35 It was known, in former times, as the Vale of Angels;36 nor, could such a designation fairly apply to the site in- dicated, since the Protestant church rises on a conspicu- ous eminence, which overlooks the town. The latter is spread along a narrow skirt of sea-coast.
Here, for fifty years, the holy su- perior ruled over his large community, with great sanctity, and keeping a most perfect monasticdis- cipline. He wrought many miracles, and some of these are
given, in different Acts, as published by the Bollandists. At one time, being in a retired place, after fasting for three
,
May io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. i6i
and 561. 3' Tlie primitive monastery here is said to have been in tlie grave- yard, now seen at Bangor ; and, a sHght depression there is thought to indi- cate that circular valhun, which once surrounded the building. Along its western site flows a stream, through the centre of the town. This turned the Abbot's mill, in former times, as has been conjectured. It passes an ancient well, overshadowed by a huge old thorn, and the water in it is popularly sup- posed to possess healing powers. 3^ A learned authority 33 has apparently referred the site of the ancient church, founded by St. Comgall, at Bangor, to the exact locale of the present Protestant church j34 but, perhaps, it might
whole days, he felt weak and thirsty; when a certain mendicant leper came to him, and seeking relief from his necessities. This man observed the saint
time that Comgall may have arrived at 3° According to Rev. Dr. O'Conor, Clonenagh, and the number of years which Bangor was founded in 555 or 559. See he is said to have spent there, the founda- " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus tion of Bangor cannot consistently with these ii. , Tigernaci Annales, n. 19, p. 129. At
and other circumstances, be carried fur- ther back than the year 558. "—•" Ecclesias- tical History of Ireland," vol, ii. , chap. x. sect, xii. , n. 199, p. 66.
the year 559, Ussher says, " Benchorensis Ecclesia in (jltonia fundata. " Index Chro- nologius, " Britannicarum Ecclesiavum An- tiquitates," p. 531. Elsewhere, he states,
See " An Historical Account of the Diocese of Down and Connor," vol. ii. , p. 124.
36 This was derived from the vision of St. Patrick, who beheld while on a hill a great number of angels descending from Heaven to a valley that was beneath it. See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," Jocelyn's Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. xcviii. , p. 88.
'' Hisidentityhasnotbeenascertained,
^s
This allusion furnishes us with some idea of the manner in which monastic cells were formerly lighted, although the windows were probably apertures, unprotected from the admission of external air, especially dur- ing the day-time.
^' See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. antique et editione Sirini, cap. ii. , num. 13, 14, pp. 5S3, 5S4.
° Thus he says, in the poem which is thus translated:—*' Patrick of the fort of Macha loves," &c. :
33 In vol. iv. of this work, at the 8th of
April, in Article i. , treating about St. Cenn-
faoladh. Abbot of Bangor, some reasons are
givenforanothersite, theredescribed,as
being more probably the monastic residence,
in olden times. However, the Rev. James
O Laverty states, that it was there a more See " Martyrology of Donegal," edited by modem Augustinian monastery had stood. Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. 122, 123.
" Circa annum vero dlv. vel DLIX. Bean- chorensis Ecclesise fundationem," &c. Ibid. , cap. xvii. , p. 494.
3' In the Annals of Clonmacnoise, it is re- fcrred to the year 561.
3^ The Rev. James O'Laverty, who records the foregoing local features, adds, this " may be only the last remains of a tradition that St. Comgall, or one of his sainted successors, pronounced over it the benediction which is still preserved in the old Irish Missal found at Bobbio, which has been published by Mabillon. "—"Historical Account of the Diocese of Down and Connor, Ancient and Modern," vol. ii. , pp. 124, 125.
33 See the Rev. William Reeves' " Eccle- siastical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dromore," p. 13, and n. (p), ibid,
^ It is represented in the accompanying illustration, draw on the spot by W iJliam F. Wakeman, and transferred by him to the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
—
i62 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May io*
engaged in prayer, with his eyes and hands directed towards Heaven. Having faith as to the result of a certain action, that man found himself cured from his leprosy. With great joy, he afterwards informed the saint about Avhat had occurred. Comgall desired him to give thanks to God, to go in peace, and to inform no person regarding what had happened. But this latter admonition was not observed, by the man, whose heart was too full of gratitude, for the favour he had received. One night, a certain young monk, named Meldan,37 came to St. Comgall, who was there in his cell, to relate something of im- portance. When Meldan approached, he saw the whole inner part of Com- gall's cell filled with a bright flame, which burst forth through the windows,^^ and with all the lustre of a noonday sun. The young man did not dare to approach, but signing himself with the cross, he retired ; and, on the follow- ing day, having a knowledge of what had occurred, Comgall called the monk to him. The holy superior requested Meldan to conceal during his life, what had been seen, on the previous night. As in the former instance, however, thisadmonitionwasnotobeyed. 39 CuimineofCoindoirestates,itwasevery Sunday only, that Comgall used to eat food. ''° However, such statement
must be understood to mean, that only on this day did he partake of a full meal, or take generous nourishment. One day, Comgall, with his own hands, was engaged in making a wooden coffin, in which the brethren were to be placed, when death approached. One of the monks, Enan,'*' by name, said, " Father, you do a good work for the brethren, about to repose in this coffin, since it must aid them to obtain salvation ; would that I were permitted to depart this life in it. " Comgall replied, " Be it so, brother, according to thy wish ; as, from this coffin thou shalt depart to Heaven. " It so happened, that brother was sent to a place, far distant from Bangor monastery, and while there, he died. However, St. Comgall ordered his body to be conveyed to Bangor ; where, through the prayers of our holy Abbot, the monk was restored to life. The resuscitated brother frequently told his fellow-monks
" Comhgall, head of Uladh, loves, Noble is every name that he named, Ablessingonthebodyofthesage, Every Sunday he used to eat. "
May io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
what he had seen and heard, after his first departure from hfe. " I was," said he, " brought towards Heaven, by two Angels, sent from God ; and, whilst on the way, behold other Angels came to meet us, saying, " Bear this soul to its body, for Comgall, God's servant, hath asked it. Therefore, bear it to Comgall, with whom the monk shall live, unto an old age. "'*^ He lived, for many subsequent years ; and, at the close of life, his soul ascended to Heaven, while his body reposed in that coffin, made by our saint.
Some thieves were in the habit of stealing vegetables and fruit, raised by the monks, who laboured with their hands, while praying with great fervour. 'is The monks complained to their Abbot, that the brethren and their guests were thus deprived of the produce procured by their labours. On the follow- ing night, Comgall made a sign of the cross over his garden. At the same time, he said, " O Omnipotent God, who art able to do all things, deprive of their sight those thieves, who enter here, that they may wander about inside of this garden, until induced to confess their guilt. " Accordingly, on that night, when those robbers entered the enclosure, they became blind ; and, they wandered about the garden, in ignorance of a place, where they might find an exit. At last, moved to penitence for their crime, they called for help, andthenbroughttheirill-acquiredstoretothemonks. Therobbersmadea public reparation for their crimes. Afterwards, becoming true penitents, and assuming the monastic habit, they embraced St. Comgairs rule. 44 St. Comgall is described in the Martyrology of Donegal,45 as being a man full of grace and of God's love, who fostered and educated very many other saints, as he kindled and lighted up an unquenchable fire of God's love, in their hearts and intheirminds. ^^ Aholyanchoriteandavenerableoldman,namedCritan,47 visited St. Comgall, at the Easter festival. While the Abbot was offering up the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, his visitor saw a bright vision of Angels. These celestial spirits sometimes touched the hands, mouth, and head, of our saint, as also the altar and chalice, while they joined in his benedictions. Feeling a sensation of thirst, and after a long fast, Critan desired in heart, that he might be able to allay this thirst, by taking some liquor, which had been first tasted by our saint. Through the spirit of prophecy, our Abbot knew the desires of his friend. Having ended the Holy Sacrifi. ce, Comgall entered the house, where having tasted some liquor, he called a servant, named Segenus. The saint then said to him, " Bear this liquor to the holy old man, Critan, whoisthirsty,andlethimdrinkwiththankstoGod. Saytohim,fromme, that he is a faithful and a patient man. " For this mark of our saint's atten- tion, Critan gave thanks to God-^^ A brother of the monastery, named Crimacthan,49 who was servant to the Abbot, having left the latter in his cell
He then retirfed to his own dormi-
past the baths. " "An Historical Account of the Diocese of Down and Connor, An- cient and Modern," vol. ii. , p. 129.
"* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. antiquo et editione Sirini, cap. ii. , num. i6, p. 584.
^^ See Drs. Todd and Reeves' edition, pp. 122, 123.
** This is stated to be evident from the old books of Erin.
"'' Whohewasisnotknown.
"^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. antiquo et. brethren, or were tending the mill, which editione Sirini, cap. ii. , num. 17, p. 5S3. we may fairly suppose, was turned by the Also, Vita S. Comgall;, ex tribus Codicibus
stream, which now, sadly diminished, flows MSS. , num. 5, p. 581.
for the night, afterwards shut the door.
*' His identity is not known.
*^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. . x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. antiquo et editione Sirini, cap. ii. , num. 15, p. 584.
3 Speaking of the varied occupations of the monks living at Bangor, the Rev. James O'Laverty writes : " Some delivered in the schools those lectures that attracted the crowds of students, who, in turn, diffused gratuitously, in some distant land, the knowledge which they had gratuitously re-
while others were engaged in manu- facturing the various articles required by the
ceived
;
—
163
164
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May io.
toiy.
Wishing to see if the saint slept, he returned after a short interval. While standing at the door of the cell,5° he was enabled to discover that the saint slept ; but, in a short time, the whole apartment seemed brilliantly illuminated. Comgall arose immediately, when his face beamed with a wonderful beauty and witli a serene expression. He next engaged in prayer. Afterwards, our saint said to the brother without, " O Crimacthan, why art thou there ? Depart instantly, telling no person what thou hast seen ; and, for such presumption, on to-morrow, a penance shall be imposed on thee. " The brother departed, with much fear; and, on the day following, he was
subjected to a penance, in expiation for his fault. s'
Owing to the great number of disciples that embraced his institute, Comgall
has always been regarded as one of the principal fathers of our Irish Church. Hisnumerousmiracleshavegreatlyaddedtohiscelebrity. Ithasbeenobserved, that our saint drew up a particular rule for the direction of his institution, and thatitwasreckonedamongtheprincipalcodes5^prevailinginIreland. Comgall isnamedamongeightchiefframersofmonasticrules. 53 Theothersevenmen- tioned are St. Patrick, St. Brigid, St. Brendan, St. Kieran, St. Columkille, St. Molassius, and St. Adamnan. We may observe, that several other Irish saints are stated to have composed similar rules. s* One day, while St. Comgall was walking, he met a man on the way, named Borgan, carrying in his arms his little son, and he bore the name of Glassan, w^howas dead. He requested the Abbot to restore the child to life, trusting St. Comgall would be able to obtain from God any request he might make. Raising his eyes to Heaven, our saint prayedtotheLord. Afterwards,hesaidtothefatheroftliatdeceasedchild, "IfGodwillit, thysonshalllive,butwaithere,untiltheholyAbbot,Canni- cus, come to you, and then present your son to him, that he may bless your child with a sign of the cross, for to-day Cannicus will pass this way. " St. Cannic approached, in course of an hour ; when the afflicted father requested him, to sign his child who was dead, with a sign of the cross. Turning to the man, and with his eyes elevated towards Heaven, Cannic said to him, " Thy son shall now live, for that is granted by God, to his servant Com- gall. " The child was immediately restored to life ; while both the parent and the boy leturned home, with expressions of grafeful thanksgiving. 55
There was a certain man, named Croidhe, who betrayed an avaricious, a ma- lignant, and a tyrannical disposition. His mother was named Luch, which in Latin signifies mus, in English, " mouse. " This man was a descendant of Tur- taraide;5^ and,atonetime,whenthemonkswereatalossforcorn,theysaid to their Abbot, " Behold that silver vessel, which was sent us as a present ; if thou approvest, let it be sold for corn, that thy brethren may live. " Accord- ingly, St. Comgall had an interview w ith Croidhe, who had abundance of corn.
5' See " Act. i . Sanctonmi," tomus ii. , Mail x. Vita S. Comgalli ex MS. antiquo et edi- tione Sirini, cap. ii. , num. i8, p. 583.
5° The Rev. James O'Laverty slates—and
probably with great accuracy—that a vast
number of small oval-shaped cells stood at
r. angor, in the sixth and seventh centuries.
These cells were "made of wood and wattles,
covered with thatch, or at times even with
skins, scattered in every direction, and in- terspersedwithgardens,fromwhich,inpart
at least, the great monastery derived a sus-
tenance for its numerous inmates. "—"An editone Sirini, cap. ii. ,
Historical Account of the Diocese of Down andConnor,AncientandModem,"vol. ii. , p. 127.
^* Nothing more seems to be known re- gardinghim, than what we find in St. Com- gall's Life.
^- See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect. xii. , jip, 62, 63.
53 yee Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Acta S. Columbse, p. 471.
S4 geg Ussher's " Primordia," cap. xvii. , p. 919.
55gee"ActaSanctorum,"tomusii. , x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. antiquo ct
num, 19, p. 584.
s* No doubt the territory of Ily-Tuirtre is heremeant. Averyfullaccountofitsposi- tion and annalistic references will be found
I
May io. ] LIVES 0I< THE IRISH SAINTS.
165
Comgall asked him to take the silver vessel, in exchange for some provisions. But, the man replied, in a disdainful manner, " I want not what is yours, nor shall you have what is mine. I had rather the mouse should eat my corn than you. " He alluded, by the term " mouse," to his mother. With some warmth, Comgall said, " Be it, as you say ; for, the mice shall eat all your corn, so that it shall not profit you. " Thus, it likewise happened ; for, the mice devoured two heaps of corn, which belonged to that avaricious man. In these were fifteen waggon-loads, but nothing remained to him, on the third day, only chaff and straw. s?
The well known Dempster, who places our saint among writers of the British Scots, attributes to him the authorship of the following works, viz. , Regularis Vit£e Methodus, lib. i. ; Ad Coenobiorum Patres, lib. i. ; Epistolae plures, lib. i. s^ In Harris Ware,S9 we are told, that he wrote Institutions for Monks, which were then extant, as also some Epistles, besides the Acts of his cotemporary, St. Columkille. Besides the rule he drew up, a learned writer ^° would not undertake to assert, that Comgall was the author of other tracts, attributed to him. ^' Some of our saint's brethren advised, that he should accept an offer made to him of certain places, where he might be able to erect small monasteries. These it was supposed might be useful for oppor- tunities afforded, in the way of fishing, or otherwise. But, the saint replied, " A large army is stronger, fighting under its chieftain, in one spot, than dis- persed in many places, and without a leader. " At another time, tliey asked him, that certain brothers might be allowed to fish, in a particular lake. This was a journey of two days from the monastery. To such suggestion, he replied,"Youhavetheseanearyou,whydoyounotfishinit. " Onanswer- ing him, that this sea-fishing was not a productive one, the brothers were sent thither with their nets. Then, they took a great abundance of fish. A contest having arisen between some seculars, at a certain place, regarding the capture of fish ; by his prayers, our saint removed the cause of their conten- tion, so that afterwards, a fish was rarely caught in the same waters. When Comgall had a great number of monks, subject to his rule, an Abbot, who was his senior, and under whose roof our saint had dwelt for some time, came to his monastery. When they sat down to table, and rejoiced in the society of each other, in order to test Comgall's humility, and to find if his former spirit of obedience yet remained, the senior began to chide him severely. Comgall then arose, and prostrating himself on the earth, he began to pour forth copious floods of tears. Being asked, why he wept, the holy man replied, " Because I am grieved, I have not had such an opportunity of practising humility, for many years past. "°^ At another time, when the Abbot was on a visit to a certain monastery under his rule; it chanced, that some of his companions preceded him. Attended by one person, the saint advanced slowly. Turning off from the high road, both entered a small house. Having offered prayers, they remained there until evening. Then, a pious man came to them, and hastening towards his own house, that person brought water to wash their feet, and a covering, under which they might rest. Having struck a light, he placed food before them. When they had partaken of this food, they gave thanks to God, and to their entertainer, according to the usual
in Rev. William Reeves' "Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dromore," Appendix BB. , pp. 292 to 297.
57 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. antiquo et editione Sirini, cap. ii. , num. 20, p. 584.
s'* See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Sco- torum," tomus i. , lib. iii. , num. 254, p. 152.
59 See vol. ii. , " Writers of Ireland," Book i. , chap, iii. , p. 17.
^° Rev. Dr. Lanigan.
^^ See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xii. , p. 63.
*- See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , x. Mali. Vita S. Comgalli, ex tribus Codicibus MSS. , num. 4, pp. 580, 581.
i66 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May io.
manner. A time for sleeping next approached, and both felt wearied. The Abbot commanded his subject to occupy the bed. In obedience, his attendant did as he had been required, while our saint continued his vigil. After a part ofthenighthadbeenspentinsleep,thebrotherawoke. Hesawthewhole house briUiantly illuminated, and this light continued, until break of day. But our saint ordered his companion not to reveal this vision, during the lifetime of his Abbot. This command the brother religiously obeyed. On the following morning, the man who had provided for their accommodation the night before, became their guide to the monastery, towards which they were proceeding. ^3 From the O'Clerys^'* welearn, likewise, how a very old vellum book ^5 states, that Comgall of Bennclior, in habits of life, was like unto James the Apostle.
It chanced, while Comgall was once absent from the monastery, one of his monks took sick. At that time, the brethren had no other food for their sustenance, only some vegetables with esculents of an inferior quality. Being moved with compassion for the condition of the sick man, the monks advised him to visit certain religious, belonging to the same order, who lived in another place. There, they said, he should receive better treatment, besides obtaining the advantage of being nearer to his own relations. ^^ But, when the sick man was brought to this monastery, which lay three or four miles dis- tant,^7 he shortly afterwards died. A vigil was kept over his body, according to a usual custom. On the next day, his corpse was brought to the monas- tery. Friends and kinsmen of the deceased accompanied the remains, with tears and lamentations. Their wailing disturbed monastic quiet. When St. Comgall returned to the monastery, a short time afterwards, the steward humbly confessed his negligence, in not taking due care of the patient. Approaching the bier, our Abbot offered up his prayers to God, when the dead man was instantly restored to life. Afterwards, he lived fifteen years, in thesamemonastery. Thismonkwaswonttorelate,thatwhenhewishedto ascend a ladder, extending towards Heaven, with others preceding him, he heard a voice saying, that Comgall would not then suffer him to ascend. Another day, according to their usual custom, the brothers being at work ; being overcome with fatigue and thirst, one among them sunk to the earth, and from the middle of the day, to the ninth hour, he was lifeless. But, the Abbot, taking compassion on him, prayed to our Lord, when he was imme- diately restored to life. ^^
CHAPTER III.
ST. COMGALL GOES OVER TO BRITAIN—HE VISITS ST. COLUMKILLE—HE INTENDS BUILDING A CELL ON RATHLIN OR RAGHERV ISLAND—IN THE TERRITORY OF HETII HE FOUNDS A MONASTERY—DISTURBED BY THE PICTS—HE RETURNS TO IRELAND—MIRACULOUS OCCURRENCES—VISITS OF ST. FINBARR AND OF ST. COLUMKILLE TO BANGOR—INTERVIEW BETWEEN ST. COLUMBA AND ST. COMGALL,
AFTER THE CONVENTION AT DRUMCEAT.
In the seventh year, after the foundation of his monastery at Bangor,' St. Comf^all went over into Britain,^ to visit some holy men.
